Vertu has launched a second Leapmotor outlet in Crewe, operating alongside its existing Vauxhall dealership with shared premises, staff and aftersales services to expand the Chinese EV brand’s presence in the North West.
This is Vertu’s second Leapmotor dealership in the UK, following the group’s first site in Harrogate earlier in September.
Leapmotor’s UK range now includes four battery-electric models (T03, C10, B10, B05) and range-extender options for the B10 and C10, giving dealers broader customer choice.
Vertu’s arrangement reflects Leapmotor’s strategy to use established Stellantis-aligned retail networks to accelerate market entry and reach.
# What happened
# Why this matters Leapmotor's footprint in the North West. The setup lets Vertu add the Leapmotor franchise to an established dealership and customer base without creating a completely separate retail operation. For Leapmotor, the approach aligns with its strategy of placing dealerships within the wider Stellantis retail network to speed expansion in Europe and the UK.
# Vertu Leapmotor launched in Europe in 2024 after Stellantis formed a joint venture to create Leapmotor International. The UK line-up available through Vertu now includes:
Range-extender versions of the B10 and C10 are also available for customers who may not be ready to move to fully battery-electric vehicles.
# Dealer and group perspective Vertu says Leapmotor has made a rapid impact on the UK EV market and that sales momentum has been strong. The Crewe general manager, Matthew Knowles, described Crewe as one of the first chosen sites for the brand within the group and emphasised the model line-up's combination of technology, practicality and value. Vertu chief executive Robert Forrester noted the Harrogate launch's success and welcomed the opportunity to introduce Leapmotor to more customers in Crewe and nearby areas.
# Practical implications for customers and dealers Customers visiting the Macon Way site can expect a single-location experience covering two brands: sales of new and used vehicles, test drives, and aftersales servicing. For dealers, the shared-site model reduces the need for duplicate staffing and separate facilities while leveraging an existing customer base and retail footprint to sell and service a new EV franchise.
# How this fits the wider rollout Harrogate and contributes to a broader dealer rollout in the UK where established groups such as Vertu and others are adding Leapmotor franchises. The strategy has produced quicker network growth than establishing standalone dealer sites, which helps Leapmotor introduce more models and scale retail presence across regions.
# Bottom line Vertu's Crewe opening shows a pragmatic route for integrating a new EV brand into an existing dealer network: shared premises and staff allow rapid rollout, immediate aftersales support, and expanded customer access to Leapmotor's growing model range.
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Leapmotor says independent dealer groups could help it improve coverage beyond its current 24 Australian locations.
- - • LEAP 5.0 New Mobile Space Architecture maximises interior space and vehicle intelligence. - • New CTC 3.0 High-Low Fusion Battery has a seven-fold increase in low-voltage function, eliminating the need for separate low-voltage (12-volt) battery. - • Both innovations launched at 2026 Leapmotor Tech Day at Hu Zhou
Leapmotor's international volume reached 105,000 vehicles by the end of August, while global deliveries topped 100,000 for a second consecutive month.
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